Watch recommendations - Aviation with UTC hand
Discussion
I'm leaving the military soon and trading a flying suit for a proper shirt and tie uniform. My day to day watches have generally been Casio G-Shock Aviator Series watches as they're not too expensive, rugged and work for what I need of them in the cockpit. My trusty Casio GW-3000B has been all of the world with me (to some proper s
tholes including Afghanistan) and served me very well. It means a great deal to me and I'll never sell it, but it's not exactly what I want to wear in my new career flying commercially!
I'm therefore after a Pilot style analogue watch that is reasonably chunky (43/44mm), well made, keeps good time and has a UTC hand. A chronograph is desirable but by no means essential. Budget is up to £2.5k and I'm not too fussed which movement it has.
I've looked at Sinn, Seiko, Christopher Ward and Bremont. The Bremont is normally way more than £2.5k but I'm eligible for a military aircrew only version that is slightly over budget but not much. None of them have totally grabbed me a make me think 'that's the one' but I do like the Sinn 857 the most so far and having previously owned a Sinn 144 GMT, they're a known quantity.
So what else should I be looking at?
tholes including Afghanistan) and served me very well. It means a great deal to me and I'll never sell it, but it's not exactly what I want to wear in my new career flying commercially!I'm therefore after a Pilot style analogue watch that is reasonably chunky (43/44mm), well made, keeps good time and has a UTC hand. A chronograph is desirable but by no means essential. Budget is up to £2.5k and I'm not too fussed which movement it has.
I've looked at Sinn, Seiko, Christopher Ward and Bremont. The Bremont is normally way more than £2.5k but I'm eligible for a military aircrew only version that is slightly over budget but not much. None of them have totally grabbed me a make me think 'that's the one' but I do like the Sinn 857 the most so far and having previously owned a Sinn 144 GMT, they're a known quantity.
So what else should I be looking at?
I’ve been looking at something similar for a while...worth adding the Oris Big Crown ProPilot GMT Chrono to that list, some nice aviation styling touches and price is well inside the ballpark:
https://www.oris.ch/en/watch/oris-big-crown-propil...
https://www.oris.ch/en/watch/oris-big-crown-propil...
What about a Corgeut for £70 whilst you're working out exactly what you want?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Corgeut-41mm-watch...
Miyota movement. Use PayPal if you're worried about giving your CC details to a Chinese seller.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Corgeut-41mm-watch...
Miyota movement. Use PayPal if you're worried about giving your CC details to a Chinese seller.
I’d get another sinn or a bremont from that list or if you went second hand maybe an iwc spitfire UTC?
Do you want a gmt watch for actually reading gmt or just because you’d like a new watch with a gmt function for the aviation links?
I fly longhaul and tbh the best gmt watch I’ve had was an Apple Watch with both gmt displayed and local time changing as your phone logs on to the local networks when you land.
You can also easily get met and money conversions on it plus WhatsApp messages from the crew saying what time you’re meeting the bar or pool or whatever.
As I’m sure you know, generally the aircraft and crew rooms will have utc displays everywhere or if you’re stuck you can have it in your phone also.
Like you I’d still like a gmt watch though and your list is pretty good or even upping it for a Tudor or Rolex gmt master.
You do tend to bash your watch adjusting the seats etc in the flightdeck though depending on which seat you’re in and what aircraft you’ll be on. And obviously you’ll have no protection without gloves or a flying suit.
Do you want a gmt watch for actually reading gmt or just because you’d like a new watch with a gmt function for the aviation links?
I fly longhaul and tbh the best gmt watch I’ve had was an Apple Watch with both gmt displayed and local time changing as your phone logs on to the local networks when you land.
You can also easily get met and money conversions on it plus WhatsApp messages from the crew saying what time you’re meeting the bar or pool or whatever.
As I’m sure you know, generally the aircraft and crew rooms will have utc displays everywhere or if you’re stuck you can have it in your phone also.
Like you I’d still like a gmt watch though and your list is pretty good or even upping it for a Tudor or Rolex gmt master.
You do tend to bash your watch adjusting the seats etc in the flightdeck though depending on which seat you’re in and what aircraft you’ll be on. And obviously you’ll have no protection without gloves or a flying suit.
https://www.stowa.de/Flieger+TO1.htm
https://www.stowa.de/en/Flieger+GMT.htm
How about the modern Flieger?
https://www.stowa.de/en/Flieger+GMT.htm
How about the modern Flieger?
Edited by vixen1700 on Thursday 18th October 11:50
Have a look at the Glycine Airman range - they have been around a long time and have a 24h dial which is quite a nice little quirk.
https://glycine-watch.ch/collection/airman/
Slightly over the £2.5k mark (you might find it cheaper elsewhere but haven't looked hard)
https://www.thewatchhut.co.uk/glycine/mens-glycine...
https://glycine-watch.ch/collection/airman/
Slightly over the £2.5k mark (you might find it cheaper elsewhere but haven't looked hard)
https://www.thewatchhut.co.uk/glycine/mens-glycine...
See the Dodane 1857 range from Page & Cooper French airforce watches with some cracking history.
https://www.pageandcooper.com/dodane-1857-type-23-...
Enjoy Mark
https://www.pageandcooper.com/dodane-1857-type-23-...
Enjoy Mark
thehawkswoops said:
See the Dodane 1857 range from Page & Cooper French airforce watches with some cracking history.
https://www.pageandcooper.com/dodane-1857-type-23-...
Enjoy Mark
Never even heard of these. Nice PVD breitling aerospace looking watch for £1,500 ish https://www.pageandcooper.com/dodane-1857-type-23-...
Enjoy Mark
GC8 said:
If I was in your position then Id probably be looking at an IWC. Spend a little more - itll last forever. A few years ago Id have said buy a Rolex GMT as they were as cheap as chips, but those days have gone.
Weird isn’t it? I remember Rolex GMT’s being the ugly sister of the range and selling well under list used. Now they’re all silly money. The iwc spitfire utc is quite a small watch though. The iwc world timer is massive but that’s way above budget.
Dodane make cockpit instruments too. There are P&G video's on You Tube, one is an interview with a guy from Dodane who was a pilot.
In truth I had not heard of them either, however they have a lot of credentials in their favour. Plus they are affordable, any Air France crew will give you a nod too.
A Sinn is a safe bet but I lean towards wearing something different myself.
Happy hunting sir.
In truth I had not heard of them either, however they have a lot of credentials in their favour. Plus they are affordable, any Air France crew will give you a nod too.
A Sinn is a safe bet but I lean towards wearing something different myself.
Happy hunting sir.
Guys, thanks so much, some amazing suggestions here and I'm enjoying this whole process a lot! To answer some specific posts:
The Oris Big Crown, Mühle Glasshütte Terrasport GMT, Stowa GMT and Dodane 1857 are all lovely and definite contenders. I'm not much of a fan of the square Bell and Ross (I want to like it as I love the face, but I can't get over the case), the Longines white watch and the Glycines I'm afraid.
I will have another look at IWC but I had thought they were too expensive.
Of course I don't need a pilot's watch to do my job and I also don't need one with a UTC hand on
But truth be told, I want a decent present to myself that doesn't look too garish and I've always loved the simple look of pilot watches. Also, having always had a watch with UTC on, I've got very used to it and like the convenience of it. Although I genuinely use my chronometer quite a lot for flying now, I'm happy to admit I won't need one from now on hence it being desirable but not essential.
I hadn't thought much about wear and tear and any new watch getting bashed about, but I can see it happening. You're correct that a flying suit and gloves currently does a great job of preventing damage and it's something I'll have to consider. I'll be a bit annoyed if a £2.5k watch looks like st after 6 months!
Keep the suggestions and info coming
The Oris Big Crown, Mühle Glasshütte Terrasport GMT, Stowa GMT and Dodane 1857 are all lovely and definite contenders. I'm not much of a fan of the square Bell and Ross (I want to like it as I love the face, but I can't get over the case), the Longines white watch and the Glycines I'm afraid.
I will have another look at IWC but I had thought they were too expensive.
Barchettaman said:
What about a Corgeut for £70 whilst you're working out exactly what you want?
I'm actually really tempted by that as a stop gap! What are Corgeut and Parnis like then? Half decent or a load of crap?El stovey said:
I’d get another sinn or a bremont from that list or if you went second hand maybe an iwc spitfire UTC?
Do you want a gmt watch for actually reading gmt or just because you’d like a new watch with a gmt function for the aviation links? I fly longhaul and tbh the best gmt watch I’ve had was an Apple Watch with both gmt displayed and local time changing as your phone logs on to the local networks when you land. You can also easily get met and money conversions on it plus WhatsApp messages from the crew saying what time you’re meeting the bar or pool or whatever.
As I’m sure you know, generally the aircraft and crew rooms will have utc displays everywhere or if you’re stuck you can have it in your phone also. Like you I’d still like a gmt watch though and your list is pretty good or even upping it for a Tudor or Rolex gmt master.
You do tend to bash your watch adjusting the seats etc in the flightdeck though depending on which seat you’re in and what aircraft you’ll be on. And obviously you’ll have no protection without gloves or a flying suit.
El Stovey, you make some really good points!Do you want a gmt watch for actually reading gmt or just because you’d like a new watch with a gmt function for the aviation links? I fly longhaul and tbh the best gmt watch I’ve had was an Apple Watch with both gmt displayed and local time changing as your phone logs on to the local networks when you land. You can also easily get met and money conversions on it plus WhatsApp messages from the crew saying what time you’re meeting the bar or pool or whatever.
As I’m sure you know, generally the aircraft and crew rooms will have utc displays everywhere or if you’re stuck you can have it in your phone also. Like you I’d still like a gmt watch though and your list is pretty good or even upping it for a Tudor or Rolex gmt master.
You do tend to bash your watch adjusting the seats etc in the flightdeck though depending on which seat you’re in and what aircraft you’ll be on. And obviously you’ll have no protection without gloves or a flying suit.
Of course I don't need a pilot's watch to do my job and I also don't need one with a UTC hand on
But truth be told, I want a decent present to myself that doesn't look too garish and I've always loved the simple look of pilot watches. Also, having always had a watch with UTC on, I've got very used to it and like the convenience of it. Although I genuinely use my chronometer quite a lot for flying now, I'm happy to admit I won't need one from now on hence it being desirable but not essential.I hadn't thought much about wear and tear and any new watch getting bashed about, but I can see it happening. You're correct that a flying suit and gloves currently does a great job of preventing damage and it's something I'll have to consider. I'll be a bit annoyed if a £2.5k watch looks like s
t after 6 months!Keep the suggestions and info coming
AndrewGP said:
I hadn't thought much about wear and tear and any new watch getting bashed about, but I can see it happening. You're correct that a flying suit and gloves currently does a great job of preventing damage and it's something I'll have to consider. I'll be a bit annoyed if a £2.5k watch looks like st after 6 months!
Keep the suggestions and info coming
It’s not a big deal but on most Boeings anyway, the pilots seat adjustment electric switches or levers are inboard so if you’re an F/O in the right seat, your left hand is going down between the seat and the centre pedestal to adjust it. If you’re a captain in the left seat, it’s not such a big deal as your right hand is doing the controls. t after 6 months!Keep the suggestions and info coming
It wouldn’t put me off but just some info anyway.
I’m glad (and a bit relieved!) you liked the Corgeut suggestion.
The guys wearing them on the ‘under £200’ thread seem impressed:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Their Bronze black bay rip-off looks pretty sensational. As far as quality is concerned, well, it’ll almost certainly be fine.
The guys wearing them on the ‘under £200’ thread seem impressed:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Their Bronze black bay rip-off looks pretty sensational. As far as quality is concerned, well, it’ll almost certainly be fine.
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